Dickinson College to Host Discussion on the Importance of Faith-Based Institutions
Michael Pappas '83.
Dickinson’s Multifaith Week Keynote
by Rhyan Short '24
Michael Pappas '83, executive director of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, will explore the importance of faith-based institutions in community organizing and addressing community needs in a lecture at Dickinson. “Public Engagement, Organizing and the Role of Faith-Based Institutions” is the keynote address for Dickinson’s Multifaith Week and will take place on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium. The lecture will also be livestreamed.
Pappas will explore the role of religious and spiritual-based organizations in a society with a growing animosity toward religious institutions. He will discuss why spiritual and religious communities continue to be vital in society, and he will delve into career paths at the intersection of religion, government and public policy.
Pappas worked as a lobbyist, as a regional field director for a presidential campaign and as an investment banker. In 1992 he attained an M.Div. with honors from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. During his 16-year ministry he was a prolific writer, contributing articles to numerous religious and secular periodicals. He also devoted energy to work with the homeless and further ecumenical and interfaith relationships. His board memberships have included mayoral appointments to the San Francisco Aging & Adult Services Commission, San Francisco Human Rights Commission, San Francisco Disaster Council, San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement’s 2010 & 2020 Census Complete Count Committees and San Francisco Assisi Sister City Committee.
This event is sponsored by the Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues and co-sponsored by the Center for Spirituality & Social Justice, the Asbell Center for Jewish Life and the Department of Religion.
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Published October 10, 2022